Flight’ lands on DVD

‘Flight” begins its journey as a thriller, but before you know it, you’re flying over the rocky terrain of family melodrama, addiction and courtroom clashes.

Denzel Washington plays Whip Whitaker, who behind his aviator glasses looks every bit the cool pilot icon America has come to expect ever since the days of Chuck Yeager. The only problem is that Whip is what is referred to as a functioning alcoholic, and that’s not the man you want in the cockpit.

Early on in the film, we find Whip flying a commercial airplane from Orlando to Atlanta during a bad storm when things start to go wrong. After some frightening moments, he manages to land the plane and rescue some passengers. At first, Whip looks like a hero — but soon questions are raised.

Meanwhile, in denial, he’s having more trouble keeping his drinking under wraps, becoming more belligerent and violent.

Director Robert Zemeckis (“Cast Away,” “Forrest Gump”) creates some truly terrifying moments in “Flight,” particularly when the plane is headed for the ground. After seeing the film, air passengers may insist on Breathalyzer tests for the pilot and crew for any plane they get on. But Zemeckis keeps the unease palatable throughout the film, even when the action is on the ground, and he allows Washington, one of the best actors of his generation, the freedom to roar when he needs to. It is an Oscar-nominated, worthy performance, and “Flight” is helped by a fine supporting cast, with Kelly Reilly as Whip’s drug-addict girlfriend, Justin Martin as his son, John Goodman as a concerned friend and Don Cheadle as a lawyer.

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“A Late Quartet,” from Yaron Zilberman, tells the story of a string quartet who after 25 years together is falling apart. Once unfolded, the clashes and problems are somewhat expected, but it’s the excellent performances of the cast — Christopher Walken, Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener and Mark Ivanir — that give the film its lift.

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In “Here Comes the Boom,” Kevin James plays a high school biology teacher who gets into the mixed martial arts ring in order to save the school’s music department. Hard to believe, since James doesn’t look like he could beat the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Salma Hayek plays a sympathetic fellow instructor. This inoffensive comedy features cameos from real mixed martial arts guys.

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The great Morgan Freeman got to play the cunning police psychologist Alex Cross in two films — “Kiss the Girls” and “Along Came a Spider.” In the obviously titled “Alex Cross,” it’s Tyler Perry of “Madea” fame.

Perry is out of his depth here and perhaps too likable. A much better actor — Idris Elba — had been originally cast and might have brought the needed grit to the role. But “Alex Cross” also suffers from a messy script that no actor could overcome.

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Forty years ago “Cabaret” took home eight Oscars, losing the best picture award to “The Godfather,” but winning for best director (Bob Fosse), best actress (Liza Minnelli) and best supporting actor (Joel Grey). After four decades, the film, which has been remastered, not only holds up but seems more vibrant and innovative than ever.